BORNO STATE, Nigeria (BN24) — Troops of the Nigerian Army successfully thwarted an attempt by Boko Haram terrorists to plant improvised explosive devices (IEDs) on a key bridge along the Dikwa–Marte road in Borno State, according to military officials.
The interception led to a fierce gun battle between the soldiers and the insurgents. At the end of the clash, troops recovered two large IEDs, along with AK-47 rifles and PKT machine guns, preventing a potential attack on military and civilian targets in the region.
The attempted bombing is the latest in a series of foiled plots as part of intensified counterterrorism efforts under Operation Hadin Kai, the joint military task force in Nigeria’s Northeast region.
Speaking to Channels Television, the Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, Major General Abdulsallam Abubakar, said the operation reflects the growing momentum of coordinated security actions across Boko Haram strongholds.
“Within the past week, troops conducted clearance operations deep into the Lake Chad region, Sambisa Forest, and the Mandara Mountains,” he said, highlighting recent military gains.
According to Abubakar, joint efforts by the Nigerian Army, Navy, and Air Force continue to yield results. Ground troops engage in direct combat, the Navy patrols Lake Chad’s shoreline, and the Air Force carries out targeted airstrikes across insurgent camps.
The recent series of operations led to the elimination of nine Boko Haram fighters in Bama, Gwoza, and Konduga local government areas, further disrupting the group’s logistics and operational networks.
“The sustained offensives have significantly enhanced stability and security in border communities around the Lake Chad fringes,” Abubakar added.
The Nigerian military has stepped up its campaign in recent months to dismantle Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) factions operating in the Northeast. Security analysts say targeting IED supply chains and mobility routes is key to degrading the insurgents’ capabilities.
The Dikwa–Marte corridor, frequently targeted by extremists, is a strategic link between vulnerable rural communities and humanitarian supply lines. The foiled bridge bombing is seen as a significant win in ongoing efforts to secure transportation and communication infrastructure in the region.
